Category Archives: California

Oh fine, I suspect that with the exception of maybe a small handful of people, if that many, the title is lost on my readers. Dont worry, I will explain, and even the video has a clever connection too!

I trust by now that all my readers know I’ve got osteoporosis related back issues, which leads me to take painkillers (of a decent level), and use a gel on my back, to help keep the pain down. Fine, they are also aided by a back brace corset, that I might use as much for the corset like effects, as the back pain effects, but fine, it helps with both, OK?

Anyway, today was the day to visit the surgery, discuss the situation, and see where we go from here. Basically, just as I thought things were getting a little better, and that maybe I could ease up slightly on the meds, winter struck! No, not Alaskan style, but cold enough for the temperatures to get down to the low 20’s, which did my back no good whatsoever, even with the brace! Outcome of that, for the winter at least, some more tablets to take, not less! Still, if it helps with my condition, no complaints from me! Well, fine, the cost of 2 prescriptions, instead of 1 isnt great when you’ve cut back on your working week, but anyway…

Oh fine, why Marion Davies, I hear you asking!

On a truthful, but none too serious basis, my nurse suggested that I move somewhere a lot warmer for the winter than Yorkshire! Actually, if practical, would make a lot of sense, given the heat would obviously do my very sore joints the world of good. Yes, true, as I discovered in September, when I was away. Benidorm was her suggestion, mine unsurprisingly was California, though in truth, neither are going to happen in my current financial position, unless…?

Back in the 1920’s, a certain young film star, and a wealthy newspaper magnate got together, though they never got married. Why, because said newspaper magnate was already married, and his catholic wife wouldnt divorce him. So arrangements were agreed, and William Randolph Hearst, took Marion Davies as his partner, and courtesan. Yes, wife in every sense but one. To be honest, he didnt do her movie career any favors, she was a great comic actress, he wanted her to play more serious roles, and given he had the money, and the power…Seriously, consider checking out one of her silent, comedic roles, and enjoy. ‘The Patsy’ is my personal favorite, for the impersonations she does, but any available will be a treat.

I know, I’m not a film star, and I doubt any newspaper magnate would ever be attracted to me, but besides all that…If there is some wealthy person who wants me as their courtesan (I’m bi, if that helps?) somewhere warm/hot, ideally with connections to movie/theater roles, or who has a robot fetish, who wants to help heal my back with some heat, let me know. But put it this way, I wont die waiting, no expectations on that front, lol! But fine, anyone prepared to pamper, and look after a lady, in need of some heat in her joints, anywhere would be fine! No, again, I dont expect to get crushed with offers!

Right, the video. There is actually a Marion Davies connection in this. Kirsten Dunst actually played her in a movie, ‘The Cat’s Meow’ about an incident that happened on Hearst’s luxury yacht in the early 20’s. This video is a fine example of the strangeness of life in Japan, I guess?

Oh fine, I know, a lot of catching up to be done, so lets get things nicely up to date here.

Sunday

The main event of note on Sunday was a trip along Sunset Boulevard, to a lovely bookshop serving the acting industry, for a series of short pieces written, and directed by women. No, before the men reading this start muttering about rabid feminists, a number of the actors reading were men! Though fine, one of the funniest was a spoof about make up just for lesbians, and if you werent one already, and you wore it, well, you might soon be one! Met up again with some delightful ladies I met just over 2 years ago, had a great time.

Monday

Due to some good news, I had to start changing plans on my days out, more on the news, probably in next blog. So I headed out to one of my favorite coastal places around here, Pacific Palisades. Its funny, I’d normally groan at the thought of nearly 90 minutes on a bus, without comfy seats, but for this route, especially the last part, I can make an exception. Had a nice stroll around, though I passed on walking down the canyon to the beach, because I knew I’d see the ocean again, plus you limit your bus options back, if you do that. But yes, I’m going to miss that place.

Tuesday

Known now as the day that if anything could go wrong, it would. A lovely man I know purchased me a nice seat for the Dodgers game that evening, snag was, I had to get the ticket printed off, and obviously my apartment doesnt have a printer, and I dont have a smart phone, so…I walked to a Fedex office in town, got on their internet, to grab the email, print off the ticket, and… Hotmail decided it was suspicious activity, and so wanted me to get a code sent to another email address. Fine, except that when I tried to get into that box, to get the code, it wouldnt let me in, and wanted to send a code to the other address it wouldnt let me into!
Fortunately, he’d sent a copy of it to my Facebook messenger page, assuming I could save it on my smart phone which I dont have, but I printed that off, and it got me into the game. Snag was, I didnt notice at the time, it didnt give all the details of my seat number! More on that later…

Finally, about an hour later than planned, I headed to Venice, the California one! You know, with the beach, and the muscles, and…a certain statue! Back in 1922, a shy(?) student named Myrna Williams posed for a statue that was to stand outside the high school. Oh, you might know her by her acting name, Myrna Loy! Unfortunately, with everything, I arrived in the school lunch hour, which made getting to her trickier that it might have been if the students had been in class. Anyway, having given my regards to her, I set off back to the bus stop, to get a bus to the beach, and waited…and waited…and waited. In the end, 2 buses more or less came along together!
After a stroll along the boardwalk, I set off to find the muscle, on the beach. Yes, it might be lively at weekends, but on a Tuesday afternoon, grand total of 3 guys doing their thing! Fine, it was something, but…I suspect a weekend visit is more, err, fruitful in that sense?

Given that I needed to get back at a reasonable hour to get to the Dodgers game, I set off to get home, which should have taken 90 minutes max! Actually took just over 2 hours. Not traffic mainly, just crazy passengers delaying things! Which meant I ended up leaving here late, hitting the crowds trying to get into the stadium, and then…

I normally sit up ‘in the Gods’ at baseball games. Yes, your view is limited, but the seats are cheap! And when you’re on a budget… Last night, I was down at field level, which is a long way down from the entry area at Dodgers stadium. No idea where I was going, took the wrong turn, got there eventually, though I missed the first half of the first innings, ah well…Yes, thats when I found out my ticket didnt actually give seat details. Anyway, at the second attempt, I found a seat no one else wanted, and watched most of the game.

Yes, one of those games that goes on forever, I left at the 11th innings mark, and headed for the buses back into town, to head home. Unfortunately, despite the bus being very full, the driver wasnt keen on leaving while the game was still going on. Eventually he did, before the Dodgers finally won, after 13 innings! Snag was, there were a lot of very drunk, very loud youngsters on the bus, screaming and shouting at regular intervals, but eventually we arrived at Union Station, and… There is meant to be a train at that time of night, every 20 minutes. 25 minutes after arriving on the platform, a train finally turned up! Given there were already people waiting, I would guess, at least 30 minutes, if not more, after the previous one.

I’ll save today, as this is far too long already! I need to thank Sarah for finding this apt video for me. Looks like Madonna was trying to portray a few golden age actresses, but warning, it is Madonna, and some of it might not be suitable for children, just saying…

Well, I’m assuming it will be at least? As far as I can see, Transgender Day of Visibility, which was on Friday, was about the last landmark in LGBT history for a while, so I’m assuming I will now be able to drop back into quiet anonymity, much to the disappointment seemingly, of a number of my work colleagues. For those interested, the last article, which actually made the blog on the main Civil Service page, can be found here

Yes, I’m proud to be the spokeswoman for Transgender people in the Civil Service, dont get me wrong, and the ride has been amazing, but fine, the boring old biddy that I am would say that I go to work to do my daily job to the best of my ability, and thats the main thing. Fine, I have enjoyed the whole ride, but fine, getting back to ‘normality’ in Bradford will be a good thing to do.

I know someone will tell me otherwise, but I’m assuming that until the same landmarks come around next year, I can go back to being a dutiful Administrative Officer, and leave it at that? I have to say the reaction to everything at work has been amazing, and fine, I’ve quite enjoyed the teasing about my 15 minutes of fame at work too. Fine, it will go on until at least Wednesday, because someone is going to mention the article to the whole team at the staff meeting then, but after that, and probably before that, for people outside Bradford…

I know one thing, if I get this much publicity, and interviews during my stay in LA, I will be thrilled. If so, who knows where it might lead, but no, I’m not expecting that to happen. Except, well, maybe…? Helped someone with some research this morning, and it may lead to a filming opportunity when I’m in California, so I’m told, but I really will believe that when it happens! No, not Jimmy Fallon, yet! Nothing to do with transgender issues, but thats all I’m saying unless its likely to happen! 😛 Lets just say its something I would love to get involved in.

But now, as far as I know, life can go back to the reality of day to day work, with no interviews, no publicity, or nothing. Oh fine, a part of me is really going to miss that, but equally, getting back to just being another worker in the department, without all the other stuff, is probably better for my future prospects. Or maybe not? 😉

Video time. If you havent worked out the song, long before now, be ashamed! Thanks to Sarah for reminding me of this one.

Well, given the ‘love’ there is for Trump on the West Coast of the US, I guess its fair to say that I wasnt totally surprised to hear today that California is talking about having a vote to decide whether, or not they should secede from the rest of the US. I mean, its not like the West Coast hasnt discussed this concept before, as the concept of Pacifica, which would be the 3 west coast states (including Oregon and Washington), parts (at least) of Nevada, and maybe Hawaii would become 1 independent nation. Given that it would include Silicon Valley, the Microsoft technology zone, plus the entertainment belt that is LA, it would probably have quite a decent economy in its own right.

But in truth, I’m not sure its ever got beyond talk, and video games as something that is ever going to happen. I’m only imagining the chaos it could cause, as New England (plus New York, maybe?) might then be tempted to do something similar, and just let the rest of the country get on with their Republican ways. I know, I know, its never going to happen, or seemingly wasnt before the latest Presidential election!

It now seems that California at least, has decided not to bother to wait for anyone else to decide, and are seriously talking about #Calexit, or variations thereon. The irony is, that the vote wont go to the people until next year, and then by the time everything is sorted out, and they are ready to go, well its possible Trump will be ready to go, as it will be 2019! And then, its possible, with their help, they might be getting a Democrat President again, with luck.

Oh fine, it would suit me beautifully if California had a slightly more relaxed immigration policy than the US currently has, but that might only be me dreaming.

To be honest, I have no idea how it would all work out, as logically, their main trading partner would be, you guessed it, the rest of the US. Well, unless anyone else is breaking away by then, and I suspect this might be the start of things, as Oregon and Washington are discussing a Cascadia nation as a result of this, so who knows? On a more pedantic note, how this would work out with their pro sports teams, I’m not quite sure? Having said that, the only one of those sports without teams in Canada is the NFL, so might be the same here?

So yes, I wouldnt mind being a proud owner of a passport from the Republic of California in the future, maybe? 😉

Oh, and while talking about that idiot in charge at present, his move this weekend, blocking Muslim refugees from 7 countries entering the US just stuns me. Funnily enough, those countries that Trump has business interests in, not blocked, hmm?… rolls eyes…

Fine, but just remember me, California, if and when the big day comes!

Fine, 2 videos tonight, for the price of one. Same group, best known over here for 1 song in the early 90’s, but neither of these are it. But yes, 2 suitable songs, from a group from Southern California, you bet! Firstly, the one you got a clue about in the blog title

Secondly, not the greatest version of a song that sort of gets mentioned in the blog, but if anyone wanted to see how Michelle Phillips (the last surviving member of Mamas and Papas) was looking recently, heres your chance!

Yes, in truth, it really is. Amazingly, at a time when I’m working, its the longest break I’ve had at Christmas in a long time, a whole week! Yes, what could best be called William Hill syndrome sometimes meant that I got Christmas Day off, and that was it! This time around, I finished yesterday, and dont go back until next Thursday. I then do 2 days, then off again from Saturday, until the Wednesday, when normal service resumes. Yes, the last is only because Tuesday is my day off for the week, but besides all that…

In truth, the monthly travel pass ends tomorrow, when I plan to go no further than the local shops (maybe?), and I wont bother again until Thursday, so I wont go too far now in the interim. Even if I cant pay for the holiday until the New Year break (should be able to work it after pay on 30th), I hope I can get the details sorted out before then. Yes, I know the flight, have an idea where it will be, if a hotel, but still contemplating a glance at Airbnb, and seeing if anything will tempt me, but I doubt it. Hotels dont need a mad dash for supplies after arrival, and prices arent that dramatically different, so…

Yes, my present to myself lol! Well, assuming there is still an America by then!

I groaned this morning when I saw the news, that Trump, even before becoming President, is seemingly trying to build up his nuclear missile arsenal, and being aggressive about it. Yes, fine, Russia is already reacting to that, and I thought they were supposed to be friends! Worse, he’s doing it all on Twitter, ah well…!

As to the inauguration thing, nothing but grief there too. No one wants to perform for him, and one group that seemingly will have to, The Rockettes, are already saying they dont want to. Most other entertainers are seemingly trying to arrange a concert to compete with his inauguration, to ruin his viewing figures, that should be fun!

I also saw someone (I assume less than seriously) suggest that California (or another, suggesting all 3 West Coast states) become independent from the rest of the US, now wouldnt that be fun? Would be wise to do it before Trump builds up his nuke collection, just in case…ah well…Please let me know which I need a visa for, USA, or California! Or Cali-Washing-gon? 😉

So yes, at Christmas, peace and goodwill to all on Earth, not! Fine, hopefully I’ll be feeling a little less cynical about it all tomorrow night!

Having already used Greg Lake (for the wrong reason), this seemed the obvious call.

One source of amusement, and amazement to me, is that there is one lovely gentleman I know, who thinks I can make the perfect wife for him, and the perfect mother for his children. Yes, I know, stop laughing! Thats right, me who has barely cooked in many years (apart from pre-packaged meals), and who has never had children in her life, and besides which, despite the loud shouts in my profile, and everything else, I’m not entirely convinced that he has taken in that this woman comes with a probably undesired extra bit! Fine, he might be the one that I get rid of that bit for, but we will have to wait and see on that. More likely, I suspect, that once he finally gets the message I’m trans, will probably disappear as fast as the last one did, once he finally got the message! But maybe I’m wrong, who knows? Maybe he knows, and loves me despite that? Yes, I know…

The silly thing is, despite the thousands of miles between us, and everything (he’s in California, a bonus for me!) else, I have sort of fallen for him too. I know, its a silly thing to do, but chatting with him, and leaving messages for him, I enjoy doing it! Yes, I might actually enjoy marriage, motherhood, and being a housewife with him, it has to be said. Thing is, for whatever reason, I’m not convinced how well I’d pass on any of those 3 subjects.

First, after 16 years, I’m hopelessly independent, so having to consider what others want to do, before actually planning anything, could be interesting. Secondly, I have no idea in the slightest about being a mother, and two kids (currently 10 and 7) might make for an interesting challenge. Thirdly, yes, fine, my cooking skills are very rusty, as probably are my general housekeeping ones too. But fine, I’m sure, with time, I could get the grip on these things again.

Yes, I’d love to be the perfect mother, and wife, probably of the 50’s style, when the man was boss, and the woman did as she was told! Yes, fine, I’m very submissive in nature, I’d love that! Pretty much summed up by these 2 delightful pictures that Stacie, and I found online

Now if there was a Stepford School of Housewifery, I’d be in heaven! Even more so, if they turned me into a genuine Stepford wife, but enough of that!

As I say, my feeling is its all going to end sometime soon, when he realizes I’m not a natural woman, and this whole matter will be irrelevant. i’d love to be wrong, become a bride, and live in California, but cant see it in more than my dreams! Wonder if I can find a metallic silver bride’s dress lol? No, dont wait for the wedding invites, mind!

But for now, well, if anyone knows of any ‘interesting ways’ to turn me into the perfect wife, and mother, please let me know, I’d love the upgrade, regardless.

The video, fine, I wouldnt play this if there are children anywhere around. Lets just say it includes moments of a very good drag queen, doing her Stepford thing.

There have been a couple of times recently, when people who know me on Social Media, but not in real life wrote to me about forthcoming events, that will be happening (or might happen) in Los Angeles. Snag, they assumed I was living there! Oh, I wish!

Mind, my friend Stacie sent me a picture of this house in the Hollywood Hills, which would look perfect for a sci-fi girl like me!

Its officially known as the Malin House, but equally well known as the Chemosphere, and its not hard to see what it was inspired by, lets face it. From comments, the trees have now grown up closer to it, but yes, love it, and would love to live there.

To be honest, I’m rather flattered that people think I actually live in Hollywood, even if I do post a few more blogs about the city than your average Yorkshire girl might! But most of my info is either based on my 2 trips there, or around news info that I get my hands on.

On the other hand, if I was offered the chance to live there, pardon me while I snatch your hands off! Cant see it happening on a permanent basis, but who knows? But I must say, its nice to know that I know enough about the area to come off as a local, to some at least.

The video, well, I guess you could say that if I lived in Hollywood, this is what I’d be. I’ll be honest, there is a live vocals performance of this that I found, but to be polite, its not good. But fortunately, I managed to find it, with the recorded version over the top of it.

Yes, I know a few people who were hit by the snow storm over the weekend, on the East Coast of the US. Thankfully, as far as I know at least, all are fine. As an added treat, Storm Jonas is now heading for the UK, but thankfully (I think?) by the time it gets here, having crossed the Atlantic and all, it wont be snow that hits us, it will be rain. Mind, given how flooded some areas have been in Yorkshire, I’m not sure that a possible 4 inch dump of rain is necessarily a good thing?

I have seen several feet of snow on the ground before. Thankfully, I was on a nice warm train, crossing the Rockies in the winter of 2003. And by the time I got off the train briefly, in North Dakota, it wasnt snowing, but was exceedingly cold! Minus 25F, dont ask me what that is in centigrade, but its cold. But of course, much of the snow had been swept off the platform, so all was fine.

Thats not to say I havent been out in a snow storm, because I have. November 2014, in Albany, I experienced a snow storm where 11 inches of the stuff was dumped on the city. Do you know what, the buses kept running, though admittedly, that was down a main road, I’m not sure if it was the same on lesser routes, but…they were used to it, nothing ground to a halt, unlike when we have more than an inch over here, probably less!

I’ve seen pictures of New York, I’ve also seen pictures of more rural areas, and the way the snow built up, is quite amazing. Yes, I know, public transit was stopped in places, roads were closed in a few too, but I do think that was wise on the whole.

Who, me, I prefer California weather, I think. Last night I was watching the golf, from Palm Springs, much more my kind of weather lol!

Given that one dear friend on Long Island, said he would do nasty things to anyone singing ‘Let It Snow’, I thought I’d better choose something else for the video tonight, so you can have this Doris Day track instead.

In California that is, though ideally I’d hate the drought to break just when I have 10 precious days there, but knowing my luck…

Its not a hidden fact that in Southern California, pretty much everywhere is currently in drought status. I think its now about 4 years, when far too little water has fallen in the area on the whole. So yes, I wish that for the sake of the locals, they could get a decent amount of water, though I’m told they would need an ocean worth to get back to where they should be, but…not going to happen.

But is it wrong to wish, that it doesnt break just as I hit Hollywood? Yes, I have a few places indoors that I want to visit, the Hollywood Museum for example, but lets face it, most things I want to do, you do outdoors! So hopefully I wont be taking the grey Yorkshire weather with me, when I go.

Dont get me wrong, I can live without the temperature hitting 90 too, but at least you can get shelter from that, from time to time, or even quite possibly in the right place while outside. So yes, I’d love the drought to break, but not while I’m on holiday!

Today has been the day when I’ve (finally) got around to sorting things out for the trip. Currency ordered, credit card topped up, and shuttle booked for trips between airport and hotel. Hey, I’ve even been looking for sensibly priced places where I can get my hair, and make up done on the Saturday of the party too! There are a couple of possibles close to the hotel, so hopefully thats sorted at least.

And that it doesnt rain that night!

In other news…

Yes, I’m in the final week at work, so I’m going to hit a few milestones, I guess? Got one last night that I thought had already happened, my last taxi home at 10.00. I have got 1 more late shift on Saturday, but thats a 9.00, so will need to fight my way home on TPE, hopefully they wont cancel my Saturday night train this week!

Beyond that, there is talk of a farewell drink on Sunday, after I finish, which I will probably make a ‘one and done’ thing, as I’m not a great drinker. Then, I need to start job hunting, ah well…

There have been many, err, interesting methods for raising money for charity over the years, and the latest craze is one where you let someone throw a bucket of icy water over you, or in the odd case, do it to yourself.

Seriously?

Dont get me wrong, the cause that the money is being dedicated to, is a good one. ALS is an awful disease, and any research that enables it to be wiped out is a good thing.

But…

My main snag with this method of raising money is a simple one, especially given so many of the ‘celebrities’ getting involved in it are in California, is the precious commodity being used, water. In case people havent noticed, a lot of California is under drought restrictions, and yet people are using all this water to tip over themselves, and give money to charity. I know, I know, its only a bucket of water, but if you add up all those buckets, in a state in a deep state of drought…crazy, right?

So fine, give to this good cause, and if you must, let the world know that you’ve done so. But please, if you’re in an area where water is desperately short, dont waste it on this stunt!

Oh, and word of warning to all, dont nominate me, I’ll just ignore. I havent the health to stand up to a bucket of icy water, and I dont earn enough to make large donations, so…